Let the spiritual light stream into doctors and scientists' lives - Professor of Anatomy

KANDY: The Inauguration of the 8th International Medical Congress organised by the Peradeniya Medical School Alumni Association (PeMSAA) and the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya was held recently at the auditorium of the Plant Genetic Resource Centre, Gannoruwa.

The Chief Guest was Prof. Rohan Jayasekara, the Professor of Anatomy and the Founder Director of the Human Genetics Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo and Mrs. Jayasekara. The theme of this years congress was "Healthy life through spiritual development"

A large gathering of alumni and alumna of the Faculty, from Sri Lanka and many from overseas along with a wide cross section of medical consultants, Scientists and other professionals participated.

Prof. PAJ Perera, former Professor of Biochemistry and the present Chairman of the Congress Committee welcomed the guests and outlined the importance of choosing the theme of this year's Congress - "Healthy life through spiritual development"

The President of PeMSAA, Dr. Shanthi Rajapakshe, Senior Consultant Paediatrician, General Hospital, Kandy delivered her report on the activities of PeMSAA during her tenure of office, particularly the contributions of PeMSAA to the student community where many progressive and developmental projects for students had been completed and new ones begun. noteworthy was the completion of the preliminary stages of the proposed hostel project for students and other scholarship programmes.

Prof. Rohan Jayasekara in his address congratulated the committee for selecting such a provocative theme such as - "Healthy life through spiritual development" for this year's Congress, which he said was most appropriate.

He added, that "genetic engineers splice up DNA and construct out of it designer creatures, questions surface about the ethics of "playing God and tinkering with life.

"As the doctor addresses the problems of euthanasia or the withdrawal of life support systems or the destruction of surplus embryos created for in vitro fertilization or the fathering of a child by a person long dead moral issues surface by the score".

The Congress lecture on the "Changing patterns of thyroid disease in Sri Lanka" was delivered by Prof. Channa Ratnatunge, Professor of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. H Abeygunawardena and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr C Goonasekera also addressed the gathering. Dr. Thanuja Herath, Secretary of PeMSAA, delivered the vote of thanks.